Discover London’s 40 best Bars drinks spots for your trip

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is one of London's most storied pubs, rebuilt on Fleet Street after the Great Fire of London and long associated with literary figures who are said to have frequented it over the centuries. Its multiple levels and cosy, low-ceilinged rooms — including a atmospheric lower level — give it a genuine sense of living history that reviewers consistently highlight.

With one of the highest culture and must-see scores in this set, it functions as much as a heritage landmark as a working pub.

The Connaught Bar sits within the five-star Connaught hotel in Mayfair and has become one of London's most celebrated cocktail destinations, regularly ranked among the world's best bars. Its signature is the tableside martini trolley, where a choice of infusions and bitters lets guests build a bespoke martini.

The polished, high-ceilinged room and attentive service make it a special-occasion pour rather than a casual drop-in, and its consistent presence on global rankings keeps demand high.

Scarfes Bar occupies a clubby, art-lined room within the Rosewood London hotel on High Holborn, named for the caricaturist Gerald Scarfe whose work decorates the walls. Live jazz most evenings pairs with a thoughtful cocktail menu, and the bar has repeatedly ranked among the world's best, reinforcing its reputation as a polished destination for a proper night out.

The combination of live music and hotel-bar refinement sets it apart from London's more stripped-down cocktail dens.

The American Bar at The Savoy has poured cocktails on the Strand since the early twentieth century and is widely regarded as one of the world's oldest and most influential hotel bars, credited with helping popularize the cocktail culture in Britain. The elegant Art Deco room and extensive, inventive cocktail list continue to draw both special-occasion visitors and cocktail connoisseurs.

Its long, storied history sets it apart from London's newer wave of speakeasy and concept bars.

Lyaness sits on the South Bank inside the Sea Containers building and has quickly become one of London's most fashionable cocktail bars, prized for its inventive, texture-driven drinks and striking presentation. The riverside setting and contemporary interior add to its draw for a crowd chasing the latest in cocktail creativity rather than tradition.

It regularly features in conversations about the world's best bars, reflecting its ambition and consistency.

Nightjar sits behind an unmarked door on City Road, identified only by a small plaque, in keeping with its speakeasy roots. Inside, the dim, intimate room leans into 1920s and '30s theatricality, with live jazz and cabaret-inspired cocktail presentations that have made it one of London's most consistently celebrated bars.

The mix of live music, elaborate drinks, and atmosphere designed for discovery gives it a sense of occasion that keeps demand high years after opening.

Tayēr + Elementary occupies a single Old Street address split into two distinct personalities: Tayer, a laid-back front bar serving cocktails on tap and by the glass, and Elementary, a more considered space for slower-paced drinks. The split-concept format has made it one of London's most talked-about modern bars, regularly appearing on global best-bar lists.

It draws a fashion-forward crowd looking for technically inventive drinks without the stuffiness of a hotel bar.

Cahoots Underground sits within Kingly Court in Carnaby, part of a themed bar group known for committing fully to its decor and concept throughout the space. Its very high review count and trendy score reflect its popularity as a fun, photogenic night out, with live music adding to the atmosphere.

It leans more toward a lively, immersive experience than a purist cocktail bar, appealing to groups and celebrations.

This tour turns afternoon tea into a moving sightseeing experience, serving tea, scones, and sandwiches alongside a glass of Prosecco as the bus passes central London's landmarks. Departures run several times daily, and its high must-see score alongside a strong aesthetic score point to an experience built around photogenic novelty as much as the food itself.

As a booked, affiliated experience rather than an independent restaurant, it suits travellers who want a self-contained, easy way to see the city and enjoy a classic English tradition in one sitting. Ninety minutes keeps the pace brisk rather than leisurely.

Dukes Bar occupies a discreet corner of the Dukes London hotel and has long been known for its theatrical martini service, wheeled to the table and mixed to order with citrus reportedly sourced with particular care. It's a classic, old-school London hotel bar experience, favoured by regulars who return specifically for the ritual and the strong pours.

Service quality draws mixed reactions in reviews, though the drinks themselves are consistently praised.

The Devonshire occupies a classic pub building in Soho but operates as a serious restaurant upstairs and down, and reviewers consistently say it lives up to its considerable hype. Highlights called out include pork ribs paired with bacon bits and scallops, plus a notably tender rib-eye, all served in an atmosphere reviewers describe as genuinely welcoming rather than stuffy.

Its mid-range pricing, shorter duration, and lunch-through-evening time slots make it far more flexible than London's tasting-menu crowd, equally good for a proper lunch, an early dinner, or a full evening out. With a 4.4 rating from over 3,000 reviews and one of the highest trendy scores in this batch, it's very much the place people are currently talking about.

Discount Suit Company takes its name and setting from the tailoring shop it's built inside, near Petticoat Lane Market, and leans into a moody, dimly lit speakeasy atmosphere. The small size means it fills up quickly, but reviewers consistently rate the cocktails and service highly, including well-crafted sours.

It suits those who enjoy a slightly hidden, character-filled bar over a larger, more conventional venue.

Satan's Whiskers is a neighbourhood cocktail bar on Cambridge Heath Road that has built a strong local following on the strength of classic and classic-inspired cocktails made without unnecessary flourish. Reviewers consistently praise the unpretentious atmosphere and the bartenders' focus on craft over spectacle, which has earned it a loyal following well beyond east London.

It's the kind of bar locals return to again and again rather than a one-off tourist stop.

Bambi combines the intimate, audiophile atmosphere of a listening bar with a food menu reviewers describe as fun and eclectic, alongside cocktails that mix classics with creative new twists. Portions on the small plates run modest compared to similar restaurants, but the overall combination of food, drinks, and atmosphere clearly resonates, with one reviewer ranking it among London's best meals overall.

At 4.7 stars, mid-range pricing, and a strong trendy score, it suits an evening built as much around the vibe and cocktails as the food itself, ideal for couples or small groups looking for something a little different from a standard restaurant. It's an evening destination rather than a daytime stop.

Noble Rot Soho is the second branch of a small group built by wine writers turned restaurateurs, and reviewers consistently mention the wine list as being as much the draw as the food, alongside cooking described as beautiful and, for one visitor celebrating a birthday, ferociously good. The room strikes a relaxed but polished balance, suited to a proper sit-down dinner rather than a quick meal.

At 4.6 stars and expensive pricing, it works well for wine enthusiasts and food lovers alike, particularly couples marking an occasion who want a bottle worth lingering over. It also suits a leisurely, well-paced lunch.

The Donovan Bar sits within Brown's Hotel on Albemarle Street and takes its name and photographic decor from Terence Donovan, one of the leading British photographers of the 1960s. Cocktails here have been shaped by well-known bartenders associated with the hotel, giving the room a classic, relaxed elegance that reviewers describe as classy without being stiff.

It's well suited to both a small group outing and an intimate pre-dinner drink.

69 Colebrooke Row is a small, unassuming bar on a residential Islington street that belies its influence on London's cocktail scene, having been an early home of the molecular and flavour-driven techniques now common across the city. The intimate room and inventive, carefully considered drinks continue to draw cocktail enthusiasts rather than passing tourists.

Its reputation rests on consistency and craft built up over more than a decade rather than novelty alone.

Bar Termini is a narrow, old-school Italian-inspired café-bar on Old Compton Street that shifts easily from a daytime coffee stop to an evening spot for classic Italian cocktails. Reviewers single out both the coffee and the negronis, and the compact, convivial room has a warm, well-worn charm that feels more like a genuine Roman bar than a London reproduction.

It's well suited to a relaxed afternoon drink or a casual pre-dinner stop rather than a big night out.

Artesian is set within The Langham, one of London's grand Victorian hotels, in a striking room filled with greenery beneath an ornate ceiling. Its cocktail menu has repeatedly featured among the world's best-regarded lists, and small hospitality touches — like swapping a martini glass mid-drink to keep it cold — reflect an attention to detail typical of top hotel bars.

It's suited to a leisurely, higher-end evening rather than a quick round of drinks.

Swift Soho occupies a narrow Old Compton Street space that has become a Soho institution, split across an upstairs bar for quicker visits and a downstairs room for a longer cocktail session. It's particularly known for its Irish coffee, a standout among a broader menu of well-made classics, and draws a steady mix of regulars and word-of-mouth visitors.

The buzzing, packed-in energy in the evenings is part of its appeal for those who like their cocktail bars lively rather than hushed.

Happiness Forgets sits in a basement just off Hoxton Square and has earned a loyal following for its friendly, attentive staff and well-executed cocktail list, often name-checked by reviewers who return on repeat visits to the same city. The unpretentious, softly lit room suits both a casual catch-up and a livelier night out.

It's a dependable choice in an area full of flashier, higher-profile bars.

The Coral Room occupies a vividly decorated space within The Bloomsbury hotel near the British Museum, doubling as a cocktail bar in the evenings and a popular afternoon tea destination by day. Its bold, photogenic interior and versatility across day and evening make it a favourite for celebrations, from birthdays to milestone visits.

The high aesthetic appeal is a big part of its draw alongside a solid cocktail list.

Speedboat Bar brings a loud, neon-lit take on Thai cooking to Rupert Street, with reviewers praising the authenticity of the flavours even as several flag that the bill, around £50 a head with drinks, feels steep for the portion sizes. Its 4.7 rating from nearly 6,000 reviews and a near-top trendy score confirm it's one of the most talked-about openings in the area, drawing a young, buzzy crowd for dinner and drinks together rather than a quiet sit-down meal.

The mid-range price bracket and recommended booking suggest it rewards planning ahead rather than a casual walk-in.

Soho has been London's entertainment engine for centuries, from its 18th-century reputation as a home for immigrants and radicals to its 20th-century role as the epicenter of British music, jazz clubs, and the punk scene, with landmarks around Denmark Street and Wardour Street marking former studios and legendary gig venues. Its narrow streets are still dense with historic pubs — some dating back centuries — that have hosted musicians, writers, and actors, alongside Chinatown's restaurants just to the west and the West End's theatres bordering to the east.

This particular walking tour threads through those streets in the evening, timed to when the pubs fill with the after-work and pre-theatre crowd, pairing pub history with London's music heritage. It's one of the most walkable, atmospheric ways to experience central London after dark without needing a car or the Tube between stops.

George is a longstanding pub near Borough Market with a strong sense of history, drawing loyal lunchtime regulars alongside evening drinkers over many years. Its high culture score reflects its status as a heritage building as much as a place to eat and drink, with reviewers describing a real feeling of stepping into London's past.

Service consistency has varied according to recent reviews, but the setting itself remains a draw.

Three Sheets Dalston is the founding location of a small London cocktail group, predating its better-known Soho branch, and retains a distinct menu and neighbourhood feel. Reviewers consistently highlight the craftsmanship of the cocktails and the warmth of the service, giving it a strong local following in this part of east London.

It's a solid choice for those who want serious drinks without the queues of the group's more central sibling.

Side Hustle brings a Mexican-inflected cocktail and food menu to Bow Street in Covent Garden, pairing playful, well-reviewed drinks with dishes that reviewers frequently call a standout in their own right. Its high trendy score and strong ratings reflect a buzzy, of-the-moment crowd drawn as much by the food as the cocktails.

It works well as a full evening out rather than a quick drink stop.

SOMA Soho sits on Denman Street and has built a reputation well beyond its size, with reviewers repeatedly calling it a hidden gem despite a busy walk-in queue on weekends. The cocktail menu draws consistent praise, and the staff's attentiveness comes up again and again as a reason people return.

It occupies a sweet spot between a casual Soho night out and a more considered cocktail destination.

Experimental Cocktail Club Chinatown brings the French-founded ECC group's approach to London's Gerrard Street, creating a hushed, professionally run bar amid one of the city's busiest quarters. Reviewers describe courteous service from door to bar and standout cocktails, including well-executed twists on classics.

Its slightly lower rating within this set still reflects a solidly enjoyable, if less universally raved-about, night out.

Seed Library sits on Shoreditch High Street and has built a strong reputation as an under-the-radar find, with reviewers frequently describing stumbling on it unexpectedly and being won over by the atmosphere and music. The interior leans into a cosy, library-inspired aesthetic that suits both a planned cocktail evening and a spontaneous nightcap.

Its relatively lower profile compared to Shoreditch's bigger-name bars is part of its appeal to those seeking a more discreet night out.